Role in IT decision-making process:Align Business & IT GoalsCreate IT StrategyDetermine IT NeedsManage Vendor RelationshipsEvaluate/Specify Brands or VendorsOther RoleAuthorize PurchasesNot Involved

Work Phone:

Company:

Company Size:

Industry:

Street Address

City:

Zip/postal code

State/Province:

Country:

Occasionally, we send subscribers special offers from select partners. Would you like to receive these special partner offers via e-mail?YesNo

Your registration with Eweek will include the following free email newsletter(s):News & Views

By submitting your wireless number, you agree that eWEEK, its related properties, and vendor partners providing content you view may contact you using contact center technology. Your consent is not required to view content or use site features.

By clicking on the "Register" button below, I agree that I have carefully read the Terms of Service and the Privacy Policy and I agree to be legally bound by all such terms.

10 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 10 on Launch Day July 29

10 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows 10 on Launch Day July 29

Consumers and enterprise users will finally be able to get their hands on Windows 10, which has fixed many of Microsoft's mistakes with earlier OSes.

2 of 11

The Real Start Menu Is Finally Back

Those who miss the old days when Windows had a real Start Menu will be happy with what they find in Windows 10. While Windows 8 ditched the Start Menu, Windows 10 is bringing it back to its past glory. The feature, like its predecessors, will provide easy access to apps and documents, and be fully customizable. It's arguably one of the most anticipated features built into Windows 10.

3 of 11

Microsoft Has Promised Strong Software Support

Microsoft has said that those who are currently running mission-critical applications in Windows 7 or Windows 8 shouldn't have trouble getting them to work in Windows 10. Microsoft's upcoming operating system has full support for the vast majority of applications that run on Windows 8, so those who are fearful of losing their app support shouldn't worry.

4 of 11

If You Need a New PC, Now's the Time to Buy It

Looking for a good reason to go with Windows 10 on launch day? Look no further than the computer that's sitting in front of you. Consumers and enterprise users around the world have held onto old computers for years in hopes of getting a better operating system. Since they didn't want to upgrade to Windows 8, they stuck it out with old Windows 7 or even Windows XP boxes. Now, they can upgrade to Windows 10 and finally get some power (and a better operating system) under the hood.

5 of 11

There's a Better Browser in Windows 10

Internet Explorer, once the dominant browser in the market, is now going away in favor of Microsoft's new Edge browser, the product of Project Spartan. All signs now point to the Edge browser being faster than its predecessor and delivering a better design that puts the focus firmly where it belongs: on the Web page. Those who want to finally put an end to Internet Explorer reliance should upgrade to Windows 10 sooner rather than later.

6 of 11

Microsoft Has Promised Better Security

Microsoft said that Windows 10 will come with all the security features built into Windows 8 that customers would want, including secure booting. But the operating system will add to that with enhanced code fixes. Windows 10 will also address bugs, handle encryption far more effectively and generally provide better security than any previous version of Windows. The operating system is one that security-seekers may find more appealing than previous versions.

7 of 11

Think About the Cross-Platform Support

People who have Windows-based devices—PCs to tablets to smartphones—may find a good reason to go with Windows 10 on launch day. The operating system is designed to work on products of all types, and since it's the same platform, the OS will easily integrate content and data across devices. Don't discount the importance of Windows 10's cross-platform support if you're already using Microsoft-based devices.

8 of 11

Why Not Try a Free Operating System?

Want a good reason to opt for Windows 10 on launch day? It's free. Unlike previous updates to Windows that cost hundreds of dollars, Windows 10 is a free upgrade for anyone running Windows 7 or Windows 8. So, it provides little out-of-pocket risk to try it out. In the event that users don't like the operating system, they can readily go back to a previous Windows installation.

9 of 11

Gamers Have Particular Reasons to Upgrade

The Xbox integration in Windows 10 is the most appealing addition for gamers. The offering will allow users to keep track of their gamer accounts from Windows 10 and see what achievements friends have tallied. But perhaps most importantly, the feature also lets users stream games from the Xbox One to the Windows 10-based PC and play with online gamers, regardless of which device they're on. Windows 10 comes with a major boost for gamers.

10 of 11

Cortana's Inclusion Could Be Quite Important

Microsoft's decision to include Cortana across Windows 10 could be a game-changer. The virtual personal assistant does everything from providing useful information about certain topics, to searching the Internet, to learning a person's activities and suggesting things in response. That Cortana will be built into Windows 10 and provide all of her features across the operating system is an extremely appealing addition.

11 of 11

If You're Stuck With Windows 8, Now's the Time to Upgrade

Some people are stuck with Windows 8 and cannot wait to get out from under its grip. For those people, going with Windows 10 as soon as possible seems to make the most sense. Let's not forget the many reasons people disliked Windows 8 and refused to have anything to do with it. For those who don't like Windows 8 and wish they could get away from it, Windows 10's launch on July 29 can't come soon enough.